Marco Reus - the future of German football (Video)

British audiences caught just a glimpse of Marco Reus’ talent at Euro 2012 at Euro 2012 when the then Borussia Monchengladbach attacker cracked in a volley to secure Germany’s victory over Greece in the Quarter Finals. However, before these last couple of weeks, you will have been hard pressed to find an English football watcher who had truly seen him play.

Undeniably, that will have changed now after 10 days or so that first saw Reus, now of German champions Borussia Dortmund, score at the Etihad as the Bundesliga outfit threatened to run riot against Premier League champions Manchester City. Just over a week later, Reus scored twice against Ireland as part of his country’s impressive 6-1 win to ensure that if anyone was previously not aware of the 23-year-old’s ability, then they certainly are now.

Reus hit 21 goals last season for Monchengladbach and arguably outshone much heralded international compatriots such as Mario Gotze, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller. However, when it came to the Euros, Joachim Low seemed reticent to unleash the forward on defences that might have been equally as unaware of him as the general public, instead preferring Lukas Podolski, who disappointed throughout the summer showpiece.

However, Reus’ summer move back to Borussia Dortmund, the club where he began his career, appears to have taken on his game to another level, with six goals already in nine appearances this season, as well as three goals for his country.

Reus’ greatest talent is his elusiveness. Ask German football watchers what his position is and an answer will not be forthcoming, such is Reus’ versatility and adaptability across the entire front line. He is no simple finisher, like a Klose, Podolski or arguably a Muller, nor is he a creator in the mould of an Ozil, Kroos or Gotze. Indeed, Reus is arguably a hybrid of the two, capable of scoring goals with regularity as well possessing the creative vision to unlock defences.

Certainly, after Manchester City travel to Dortmund for their return European clash, British defences will be happy not to see Reus again for a while.

Adam Mazrani

Follow @AdamMazrani